DSA members should be identified

Whether one supports or opposes the jail levy, we should all uphold the values of free speech and truth. That’s why I was disappointed that the IR chose to print an unsigned Your Turn piece on Thursday, Nov. 2.

The piece was “signed” Helena Chapter DSA, the Democratic Socialists of America. Really? In my second decade as an IR subscriber, I can’t remember an outside group letter that was unsigned. Understandably, editorial staff pieces are unsigned, but the identities of the publisher and editor are already known. Usually, if a letter is penned by a group, organization, church, company, board, or political party: someone signs it. Our right to free speech is not a right to anonymous speech! I look to the IR as my community news source. I look to the IR for news that is verified and verifiable. IR, you have failed me.

Not only was the Your Turn piece unsigned, it also contained at least one misleading un-fact. They state “4 million dollars, which works out to $80,000 per inmate per year for 15 years.” This is a misrepresentation of facts provided by Lewis and Clark County. The current jail was designed for 54 inmates – so that should be used as the baseline. The DSA uses the current overpopulation numbers of 100-plus as their baseline.

Also, the DSA uses the $4 million annual operating budget amount as if that’s the whole picture, instead of revealing that a quarter million a year is expected in savings for not having to house inmates in other locations.

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I call on the IR to include names of actual people on its letters. Many of our neighbors take controversial stances, but do so in full view.

Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.

(7) comments

You should understand, News companies don't often disclose that type of information and with the current set up of the internet and the comments section on this website, they have no way to require and have no obligation to post the actual identities of those individuals or groups that write or reply to this section of the newspaper.

Many people have upped their rhetoric because they know they can get away with being tough guys behind the screen and can do it with no fear or repercussions at all, having and alias on the internet is all to easy. Just look at the many commenters on here and other news websites that use made up or goofy names to push their agenda.

Do you mean like people who write deliberate untrue and misleading comments here under the name Donald Jackson without any basis in fact or reality - and continue misinforming people on subjects like Gianforte's assault of a reporter being justified? What are the repercussions for deliberate misinformation DJax?

And you want to quip as if we know that you are really a Donald J Jackson living in Helena - not just a troll from out of the Gianforte camp trying to spread rumors that he didn't beat up an innocent reporter even after he admitted he did.

For a guy who's been caught lying here - you sure pretend you ride an awful high/tall horse, don't you?

John, why are you running away from me lately? Are the spankings finally having an impact? I'd sure like to discuss these topics with you:

- The Fairness Doctrine and your claim that it "stifled the news" and who you claim repealed it as well as your confusing it with the equal time requirement- the difference between a zygote and an fetus- your study that refuted your own claim about education- your false claim that "More conservatives voted for the Civil Rights Act than liberal democrats"- and, of course, your claim that Magical Jesus was a real person

Yes Matt, I ride a high/tall horse and I will continue to do so, and No, I don't live in Helena, but as our state capitol, I pay attention to what goes on in Helena. As far as your accusation of my lies, we all know what that means, I crossed you in another post and you didn't like it. As far as Gianforte's assault, I never said it didn't happen, I stated that the original report was retracted by the FOX news reporter and it was, he has now plead guilty, had his picture taken and he is still your and my representative, so get over yourself.

Yes, my name is Donald J. Jackson, no, I don't live in Helena, I live in NW Montana and honestly, I don't give a darn about Gianforte or any other politician for that matter, I worked in Washington DC for far to long to believe or support any of those people, they don't represent us, they represent their best interests and let the rest of us swing on the vine.

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